Kolkata Metro to test run underwater coaches on Sunday: Report

By  India Blooms News Service   Apr 08, 2023

Kolkata: West Bengals capital Kolkata is set to witness the test run of two six-coach trains on the 4.8 km stretch between Esplanade and Howrah Maidan, marking Indias first underwater journey, TOI reported.

Kolkata is also the city where Indias first metro service started way back in 1984.

On Sunday, two trains will be tested on the Kolkata Metros Green Line, a 16.6 km route connecting Sector V in eastern Kolkata to Howrah Maidan on the opposite side of the Hooghly River, passing through Sealdah and Esplanade.

The trial will take place through the eastbound tunnel between Sealdah and Esplanade, using temporary tracks to bridge incomplete sections.

The Salt Lake depot will be the starting point for the two trains, and officials are confident about the trials success.

In Sundays trial, the two trains will travel a total of 14.5 km from the Salt Lake depot to Howrah Maidan at the opposite end of the Kolkata Metros Green Line.

However, the section of the tunnel that stretches 520 meters under the Hooghly River will be the main point of interest for both KMRC officials and railway enthusiasts across India, the report said.

Once the trains have crossed the river, they will then pass through Howrah station, which is the deepest metro station in the country, located 33 meters below the ground, said the report.